Japan Juggernaut Continues to Roll in Asian Five Nations 2008
May 10, 2008

[10 May 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan]: The Japanese juggernaut continued its inexorable march to the inaugural HSBC Asian Five Nations Series championship with another impressive victory in week 3 in Kazakhstan. Following on its 114 - 6 demolition of the Arabian Gulf two weeks ago in Osaka, Japan today routed Kazakhstan 82 - 6 at the Almaty Central Station Stadium.

The win brings Japan to a perfect 18 points from three matches including three bonus points from its wins to date over Korea, Arabian Gulf and Kazakhstan and sets up an interesting clash between Japan and second-ranked Hong Kong next Sunday at the majestic Big Swan Stadium in Niigata, Japan (kick-off 2.00pm local time).

In today’s clash versus Kazakhstan, Japan raced out to a 42 - 0 lead over Kazakhstan after tries from centre Ryan Nicholas, No. 8 Ryu Holani, full-back Bryce Robins, centre Yuta Imamura and lock Taira Sato and winger Hirotoki Onozawa. Fly-half James Arlidge converted all six Japanese tries in the first half, further ensconcing himself as the top points scorer in the Asian Five Nations 2008 on 39 points from three matches.

Japan continued the pressure in the second half with Robins taking his second try of the game in the 2nd minute. Kazakhstan full-back Maxim Lifontov scored all of his team’s points on the back of two successful second half penalties in the 10th minute and the 24th minute after the interval.

Japan equalled its tally of six first half tries with six more in the second half including one by the captain Takuro Miuchi who came on as a substitute in today’s match. Today’s try fest sees Bryce Robins and Hirotoki Onizawa share top billing as the top try scorers in the Asian Five Nations on five apiece.

Over 1,000 people came out to support the Kazakhstan team today in one of the few test matches held in Kazakhstan.

Today’s result comes on the back of the first ever Asian Five Nations night match on Friday evening 9 May in Doha, Qatar when a valiant amateur Arabian Gulf side lost a tight encounter to Korea 43 - 20 after being within a try at 24 - 20 as late as the 73rd minute.

The Doha result saw Korea secure its first points on the Asian Five Nations table where they lie in 3rd place with 5 points for the win plus a bonus point for scoring four or more tries.

In Week 4 Korea will play host to Kazakhstan in Incheon near Seoul, while second-placed Hong Kong are away to table toppers Japan in Niigata.

ENDS

For enquiries please contact:
Sean Moore
Tournament Operations Manager, Asian Five Nations
T: +852 9095 8889
E: asian5nations@gmail.com